Sexuality class under fire for videos and homework

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Thanks to a veto by the governor, a University of Kansas professor won't be risking his department's budget by showing explicit videos in his human sexuality course.

Citing academic freedom, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius struck a provision from a bill Monday that would cut funding for state university departments in which videos deemed obscene are bought or shown for classes on sexuality.

"In a democracy, academic freedom in higher education is essential," Sebelius, a Democrat who took office in January, wrote in her veto message.

The provision, sponsored by Republican Sen. Susan Wagle, was based on students' descriptions of the popular class that professor Dennis Dailey has taught for the past 20 years. The non-commercial videos are shot in clinical settings rather than studios or bedrooms.

Dailey teaches in the university's School of Social Welfare, which has a $3.1 million budget. On Tuesday, Dailey said he was pleased with Sebelius' veto.

Still pending is a complaint Wagle filed earlier this month, in which she objected to the professor's use of "street language" and gestures. She said he encourages students to discuss their sexual habits and explore their bodies for homework. The university said it was looking into the complaint.